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Police Report 2 Dead, 6 Hurt in Suburban Detroit Shooting

Aired April 18, 2000 - 1:21 p.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

LOU WATERS, CNN ANCHOR: Police are telling CNN that there are two people dead, at least six others hurt in a shooting at the Lincoln Park Seniors Towers in Lincoln Park, Michigan, which is a suburb of Detroit.

We have on the line with us Ben Schmitt who is a reporter for the "Detroit Free Press."

Ben, is it over yet?

BEN SCHMITT, "DETROIT FREE PRESS": No, it's not. It's still unfolding. They don't have the guy in custody yet. They don't know how many people are -- if any other people are injured. And apparently he's been in three or four apartments sticking his head out and firing shots still, and they haven't been able to apprehend him yet.

WATERS: So they are sure that it's a guy. You say it's a guy.

SCHMITT: That's what they're saying. And a couple people who were out here and saw him stick his head out said he looked like an older male, balding, possibly in his 60s.

WATERS: And this tower we're seeing pictures of is a place for senior citizens?

SCHMITT: That's right. It's called the Lincoln Park Seniors Tower.

WATERS: And what do you know about casualties?

SCHMITT: We're confirmed from the fire chief that two are dead, another has been taken to the hospital, and they haven't given any sex, if they're male or female. And, again, he doesn't know if there's more people in there injured or not.

WATERS: So you have, what, emergency crews, SWAT teams?

SCHMITT: That's right. That's what it looks like. They've got us, you know, about a block away, so we're all kind of gathered here all trying to look on, but it looks like there's some ambulances outside, fire trucks, police cars. I don't see any presence of a SWAT team, but I'm told the building has been stormed and there are people, you know, inside looking for this man. WATERS: We're also hearing that there's some shooting from the windows?

SCHMITT: That's right. At least three times. He's been in three different apartments shooting outside of the window. And one guy who was picking his father up at a senior citizens center which is across the street, they were backing out and they saw the guy stick his head out and start shooting. He said it looked like a semi- automatic weapon, but he wasn't sure.

WATERS: What kind of problem is that creating for police?

SCHMITT: Well, it's just -- they've got traffic problems. They've got it blocked off in every direction and there's just a lot of traffic backed up. A lot of people who don't know what's going on are getting tied up. And, you know, a lot of it's on the radio so a lot of people are trying to avoid the area.

WATERS: What if anything do you know, Ben, about the report we're getting that weapons have been found in the building?

SCHMITT: I hadn't heard that yet.

WATERS: OK.

SCHMITT: But, again, the liaison out here is the fire chief, so there may be more coming from the police. But I hadn't heard that yet.

WATERS: And do you know if they've been able to establish any kind of communication with this fellow yet?

SCHMITT: I'm told they haven't, but, again, I'm not sure about that.

WATERS: OK.

SCHMITT: It's still pretty much unfolding.

WATERS: We'll check back, Ben. Thanks very much for helping us out.

Ben Schmitt with "Detroit Free Press" on the shooting in Detroit: 2 dead, six others hurt, gunman still at it, still shooting. We'll keep you posted.

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